Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, led a bipartisan resolution recognizing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 30th anniversary of independence, and reaffirming U.S. support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s democratic reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration.
In January, Shaheen and Johnson sent a letter to the State Department urging it to redouble its efforts to resolve the political gridlock in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sens. Johnson and Jeanee Shaheen were joined on the resolution by Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).
“I am happy to cosponsor this bipartisan resolution reaffirming U.S. support for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of its declaration of independence,” said Johnson.
“I appreciate the bipartisan support for this resolution, which not only celebrates Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 30 years of independence, but reaffirms U.S. support for their pro-democratic aspirations. Bolstering democracy around the world has never been as critical as it is today as we watch the Ukrainian people in the fight of their lives for freedom and democracy. This resolution sends a powerful message to our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina that the U.S. is behind them as they work to uphold unity in their nation for the sake of a brighter and more prosperous future for their citizens,” said Shaheen.
“I’m glad to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in recognizing thirty years of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence. While Putin simultaneously wages war on Ukraine and cheers on separatists in Bosnia and Herzegovina – threatening 26 years of fragile peace in the Balkans – the United States is committed to supporting the country’s pro-democratic and anti-corruption reforms,” said Murphy.
“The Bosnian people paid a terrible price in the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. After so much bloodshed and suffering, we must not let spoilers undermine the hard fought peace the U.S. and others helped broker. I join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to celebrate 30 years of independence and reiterate U.S support for their democracy,” said Durbin.
“I congratulate the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of their independence. As we have all been reminded recently, freedom and democracy are blessings that must continually be protected. The United States stands by the security, stability, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we hope their leaders will continue to work for unity and to end corruption,” said Wicker.
“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize this significant milestone in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history. For thirty years now, Bosnians have pursued a path of freedom and democracy – and it’s essential we remain steadfast in our support of their efforts – particularly given Russian aggression in Europe. In this moment, we must reaffirm our commitment to the principles of the Dayton Accords and to working alongside pro-democracy nations that seek peace and prosperity – including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and other Balkan nations,” said Peters.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
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